Broomfield eyes crosswalk, traffic light changes on Midway

Five accidents in three years prompt action

Cesar Espinoza, 14, a Legacy High School student crosses Midway Boulevard at Perry Street in Broomfield after school on Thursday.
(
David R. Jennings
)

Broomfield is eyeing traffic improvements meant to make Midway Boulevard safer after an October auto-pedestrian accident near Perry Street prompted an examination of the area's crosswalks.

During its Tuesday study session, Broomfield City Council examined a proposed plan that calls for reconfiguring crosswalks on Midway between Sheridan and Lowell boulevards to provide better safety for pedestrians and drivers. The plan also calls for installing a traffic light at Midway and Perry.

In the past three years, there have been five accidents at that intersection.

The study comes after the most-recent accident at the intersection in October, when a 12-year-old Westlake student on a bike was struck in the crosswalk by a turning vehicle.

"The accident occurred at Perry Street, but we have been looking at the entire stretch of Midway" to make improvements, said Broomfield engineer Katie Allen.

City staff recommends installing a stoplight at the Perry Street intersection to provide extra safety for pedestrians and drivers, who sometimes get in accidents because of sun glare, low visibility or speeding. The intersection is especially important for children walking to and from school, Allen said.

"We've done pedestrian counts and saw five accidents in the last three years in this corridor. That's not particularly high, not in our top 25 locations (for accidents). However, we have kids in Adams 12 (school district) trying to get from one school to another," she added.

Schools in the area include Westlake Middle and Centennial and Mountain View elementaries.

Staff interviewed students who walk in the area and said the children prefer to cross the street at the pedestrian-activated flashing light crosswalk at Perry Street, instead of using the lighted traffic signal at Lowell Boulevard.

Council members and staff are concerned about the limited sight distance near the intersection, and, when the traffic light is installed, want to trim or remove the median's landscaping to provide a better view for turning vehicles.

Council members hope the plan can help regulate speeds along Midway. An average driver goes about 45 mph on the stretch of road, even though the posted speed is 35 mph, Allen said.

"I hope the traffic light at Perry will slow down traffic," said Councilman Dave Jurcak.

The traffic light, which could cost around $180,000, is not written in the city's current budget. According to a staff memo, the council could decide to amend the budget in the second half of 2013 to allow for the signal.

Perry Street is just one of several intersections on Midway Boulevard that Broomfield will look at for improvements next year.

Other elements include removing the crosswalk at Davis Street, because the curved road provides sight distance restrictions. City staff also proposes consolidating the crossings on Yates, Wolff and Vrain streets by removing the Wolff Street crossing.

Broomfield will hold several public meetings in early 2013 to ask the neighborhood for feedback on the proposed plans. Informational sessions for residents in the neighborhoods north and south of Midway Boulevard could take place in January and February, according to a staff memo.

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